HB5160 - Relating to eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

  89R2181 MM-D     By: Rose H.B. No. 5160       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance   program benefits.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Sections 33.016 and 33.0215 to read as follows:           Sec.   33.016.     PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS FOR   SNAP BENEFITS. (a) The commission by rule shall ensure that an   individual whose eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance   program benefits has been initially established or recertified   remains eligible to receive those benefits for a period of 12   months.           (b)     The commission may adjust the eligibility period   described by Subsection (a) as necessary to align an individual's   recertification of eligibility for supplemental nutrition   assistance program benefits with the redetermination of   eligibility of a child residing in the same household for medical   assistance program benefits under Chapter 32.           (c)     This section does not apply to an individual receiving   supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits who:                 (1)     at the time the individual's eligibility for   benefits is initially established or recertified, expects a change   in circumstances within six months following the establishment or   recertification of eligibility that will make the individual   ineligible to receive the benefits;                 (2)     is 60 years of age or older or has a disability,   has no earned income, and resides in a household in which every   other individual residing in the household:                       (A)     is 60 years of age or older or has a   disability; and                       (B)  has no earned income; or                 (3)     resides in a household in which at least one   individual:                       (A)     is at least 18 years of age but younger than   50 years of age;                       (B)  has no dependents; and                       (C)  does not have a disability.           Sec.   33.0215.     ANNUAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF RESOURCES   EXCLUDED IN DETERMINING SNAP ELIGIBILITY. (a) Subject to   Subsection (b), the executive commissioner by rule shall adjust for   inflation the maximum amount the commission prescribes, if any, for   a resource excluded from the resources of an applicant's household   for purposes of determining the applicant's eligibility for   supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.           (b)     Not later than October 1 of each year, the maximum   amount of a resource described by Subsection (a) must be adjusted to   reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban   Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics or its   successor index during the preceding 12-month period ending in   June.           (c)     Notwithstanding Subsection (b), for the initial   adjustment under Subsection (a), the executive commissioner shall   adjust the maximum amount the commission prescribes for an excluded   resource to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All   Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics during   each 12-month period since July 1, 2001.   This subsection expires   October 1, 2026.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to an   initial determination or recertification of eligibility of an   individual for the supplemental nutrition assistance program under   Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, that is made on or after the   effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a   federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,   the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or   authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the   waiver or authorization is granted.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.